Tag Archives: grade distribution

I have been a golfer since I was in high school. I am not a great golfer but I have typically hit my drives in the fairway on most days. Last year my father purchased me lessons at Golf Galaxy. If any of you have not tried this I would highly recommend it. A golf professional video tapes your swing from several angles. Then on the split screen he puts Tiger Woods on one side and me on the other. The professional told me that my swing looked good but my club and hands are not aligned when I hit the ball. Sure enough he plays the video of both my swing and Tiger’s swing simultaneously in slow motion and he was right, my hands are out of alignment and Tigers are perfect. So for about 10 minutes he tries a few exercises to help me straighten out my posture and swing and then shows me my new video and I am aligned perfectly. This summer, I still hit the ball in the fairway but now with some power. On average 30 yards further! Now if I could only hit my irons with accuracy… that is another lesson.

As we wrap up the 2011 calendar year I think about my golf lessons and what my 2012 resolution might be.

In my role as Social Studies Coordinator I see lots of data. After reviewing the 5, 10 and 15 week grade distribution data all I see are charts, bar graphs and spreadsheets. The problem with data is that it is just numbers. Numbers like student grades and golf scores can only tell part of the story. The real story is not that 15 students might be failing one subject… the real story is who are these 15 students and why are they struggling. Is it attendance, is it issues at home, is it a disconnect with the curriculum? I can not tell from looking at a spread sheet, and I certainly cannot tell from an office a mile and a half away.

My resolution for 2012 is to roll up my sleeves and get into the buildings. My resolution for 2012 is to talk to each of you in your classroom and ask you what your needs are. My resolution is to be someone who is there to help support not to keep score. If you have a lesson that you are proud of and would like another set of eyes I would love to stop in and help find that little detail to straighten out that may get you that extra 30 yards down the middle of the fairway.

Starting in January I will be spending 5 -6 hours a day in a building. I will post my schedule in advance so that you will know when I am available to “swing” in and chat.

As it stands it looks like I am going to be in each building from 8:30 – 2:00 (The Elementary schedule is still in the making)